Proverbs 9

¹ Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. ² She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. ³ She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. ⁴ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. ⁵ “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed. ⁶ Leave your folly behind, and you will live; walk in the way of understanding.” ⁷ He who corrects a mocker brings shame on himself; he who rebukes a wicked man taints himself. ⁸ Do not rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. ⁹ Instruct a wise man, and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man, and he will increase his learning. ¹⁰ The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. ¹¹ For through wisdom your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. ¹² If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage; but if you scoff, you alone will bear the consequences. ¹³ The woman named Folly is loud; she is naive and knows nothing. ¹⁴ She sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city, ¹⁵ calling out to those who pass by, who make their paths straight. ¹⁶ “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” she says to him who lacks judgment. ¹⁷ “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” ¹⁸ But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.